Cosmetic container



June 24, 1958 R. B. HOPGOOD COSMETIC CONTAINER Filed June 30, 1955 id/ 01M ATTORNEYS United States Pa e r COSMETIC CONTAINER Robert B. Hopgood, Cheshire, Conn., assignor'to The Eyelet Specialty Company, Waterbury, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application June 30, 1955, Serial No. 519,103

13 Claims. (Cl. 20656) My invention relates to a cosmetic-container construction and is particularly concerned with such constructions in which the closure cap is frictionally retained when placed over the container body.

-It is an object of the invention to provide an improved construction of the character indicated.

-It is another object to provide an improved cosmeticcontainer construction, characterized by relatively easy action in the placement and removal of a closure cap.

It is a further object to meet the above objects with a construction featuring reduced axial play and improved smoothness of action in the propulsion of a cosmetic.

It is still another object to meet the above objects with a construction in which the placement of the closure cap inherently tends to more tightly frictionally engage relatively rotatable parts, whereby inadvertent propulsion of the lipstick is avoided while the closure cap is in place.

It is another object to meet the above objects with improved means for frictionally engaging a closure cap to a container.

Other objects and various further features of novelty and invention will become apparent or will occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing-s. In said drawings, which show, for illustrative purposes only, preferred forms of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a cosmetic container incorporating features of my invention, but shown with the closure cap removed and with the friction member therefor in its unstressed position, in readiness to develop gentle frictional engagement with a closure cap;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. l to illustrate the relation of parts when the closure cap is in place;

Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged vertical sectional views of the friction member of Figs. 1 and 2, and shown for. the unstressed and stressed conditions thereof, respectively;

Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective 'vie-wsofa modified friction member, shown respectively in the unstressed and stressed conditions thereof;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating a further modification;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to .Fig. 1 to illustrate a modification; and

Figs. 9 and 10 are similar vertical sectional viewsto illustrate still further modifications.

Briefly stated, my invention ina preferred form contemplates improved means for frictionally retaining a closure cap when'placed over the body of a cosmetic container. My friction member is characterized particularly by a generally conically developedoutwardly flaring skirt, retained by the container body and flaring freely outwardly, to an extent permitting resilient interception of the bore of the closurecap as the latter is placed over the container. The small end of the skirt is retained on the container'body, as against a'circumferential head, or by forming said small end with a radially flange is axially'deflected, thus increasing theaxial load inwardly extending portion located vin a groove or bea 25,840,229 Patented June 24, 1958 ice inwardly extending. portion is so formedas to serve certain further functions, particularly useful in swivel-type or self-propelling'lipsticks involving inner and outer rela tively rotatable tubular body elements. The nature of this inwardly extendingportion is such as lightly axially to load the relatively rotatable parts and thus eliminate rattle or axial play therebetween. The nature of my constructionis further such that,- upon placement of the closure cap, the skirt is inwardly deflected and the radial on the .relativelyrotata'ble parts and providing increased friction, for resistance of inadvertent rotation of the parts when the container 'is closed.

-Referring'to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, my invention is'shown in application 'to a swivel-type or selfpropelling rotary lipstick container, comprising inner and outer sleevefmembers -1011 having cam slots 12-13 formed therein for engagement with the follower 14 of a carrier cup 15, for, a'lipstick -or-the like 16. In the form shown,'a jcircumferentialtbead 17 constitutes a radially outwardyflange or limiting means for axially locating one end of'the outer tubular member 1-1, and a radial flange or shoulder 18 limits or axially locates the other end of the outer tubular member 11. The inner tubular member is completed by a cylindrical land 19 connecting the shoulder 18 to an enlarged base or actuating-knob portion '20, constituting the closed end of the inner tubular member 10. For appearance sake, I have provided a casing 21 to retain the outer tubular member or sleeve 11, and I show a snap lug 22 formed out of thecasing 21 and projecting inwardly tO-engage a corresponding hole 23 in the sleeve -11, for' holding thepa'rts together.

In accordance with the invention, I provide a resilient skirt or circum-ferentially extending member 24 carried by the'container body in such manner as to position a free outwardly extending lip '25 thereof in intercepting relation with the bore o'fthe'closure cap 26 to be placed over the open end 27 of the container. The maximum "unstressed outer diameter of the skirt portion 25 preferably exceeds the bore diameter-of the closure cap 26, so that placementof the cl'osure cap will be accompanied by radially inward deformation of the skirt 25, with resultant light, easy-acting frictidnalengagement of the parts and retention of the closure. cap. The parts are-shown in 'Fig. 2 in their relationship when the closure cap 26 has been placed into .fully assembled relation with the base 20 and in abutment with the shoulder 28 thereof.

The resilient' rnember 24 may be of gently yieldable material, such as polyethylene oran equivalent plastic, and preferably includes, in'addition to the skirt 25, means formed integrally with the small end thereof and extending genera-l ly radially inwardly, for axial location by the retention means formed 'on the body of the container. In the "form 's'hown,.-the radially inwardly extending part is {a 'ra'di'al flange -29, so formed as to seat on theshoulder 18 and to substantially close off the axial clearance between shoulder 18 and the sleeve and casing 1"121. "Theradially extending flange 29 is preferably somewhat =frusto=coriically formed, -eve n' in the =unstresse'd 2c0ndition shownfinFig. 3, and may be viewed as a dished resilient washer, lightly' loading" the parts 1-1 2 1 to eliminate axial pla'y. "Fig. 4 shows that when hood of cosmetic damage due to inadvertent propulsion against the. inside of the closure cap is rendered remote.

The modification shown'in Figs. 5 and 6 difiers from the described form of Figs. 3 and 4 only in that the radial-flange portion .29 is, in effect, a peripheral succession of similar radially inwardly directed .lugs .-31, defined by radial serrations or slits 3 2. I It will .be' appreciated that provision of slits 32 may, 1 for certain materials and material thicknesses,,promote greateraxial distention of the. radial flange 29. and, therefore, added frictional loading of the relatively rotatable parts, when the skirt 25 is radially compressed by a closure cap, as shown in Fig. 6. a I

In Fig. 7 I illustrate a circumferentially extending member 24 which may, in all respects, resemble the member 24 of Figs. 3 and 4, except that I provide a reinforcement or stiffening member 33 carried by or molded within the body of the, member 24'. Stifiening member 33 may be one of an angularly spaced plurality, but I have shown only one such member. Member 33 extends forsubstantially the full axial length of the skirt 25 and for substantially the full radially inward extent of the flange 29. It will be appreciated that, upon placement of the closure cap over the skirt 25, with accompanying radially inward. deformation of skirt 25, the reinforcement member. 33 will serve as a bellcrank, undergoing partial clockwise rotation inthe sense of Fig.

.7, and more positively driving a local portion of the radial flange 29 into frictional engagement with the adjacent axial end of the sleeve or casing 1121.

For situations in which the peripheral friction-engagement function is not important, the member 24' may be viewed merely as a means for flexibly supporting the bellcrank 33. The axially extending arm of bellcrank 33 projects outwardly for interception by the closure cap, and.

the radially extending arm thereof is driven axiallyinto frictional engagement with parts 11=21'when the closure cap is placed over the container. 3 r

In Fig. 8, I show application of my invention to another construction in which peripherally continuous friction engagement may not be. an important requirement,

deformation, and that the. radial flange 29 shall be conically dished, and thereforelightly axially loaded against parts 1 121, as explainedabove in connection withotherfigures. 1y

, In the container of Fig. 9, the lipstick tor the like is held in a carrier 40 havinga finger-actuating piece 41,

accessible externally through a guide slot 42, in the single I 1 tubular body member43 Forassembly purposes, the upper end 44 of the slot 42 is open; the lower end of the body 43,.is preferably closed by anenlarged base 45., My resilient skirt is shown to be formed integrally with a radially inwardly extending portion 47 for axial 'locationbetween the walls or flanges 4849,'

.of Fig. L9,,andgaretherefore given the samereference numbers, ;but ;with primed 1 notationflThe' unstressed minimum radial dimension of member .56; is1 preferably slightly lessthanthe outer'diameter of the, land .50,

so that even though axially retained by head 55, member 56 will tend to resiliently hug the land 50'. Frictional engagement with and reterition of the closure cap 51 are otherwise as described for Fig. 9.

It will be seen that I have described a relatively simple container construction having features of smooth frictional engagement of the closure cap, without develop ment of undue stickiness in the placement or removal of the closure cap. My mechanism is such that axial play may be avoided between the relatively rotatable parts, and yet rotation is easy and smooth when dispensing or retracting the lipstick, Nevertheless, upon placement of the closure cap, not only is the aforementioned friction engagement developed, but the parts are inherently frictionally loaded or lightly jammed against inadvertent rciativerotation displacement, so that contact of the lipstick with the inside of the closure cap may be avoided.

'While I have described the invention in detail for the preferred forms shown, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow.

I claim: 1'

1. In a cosmetic container of the character indicated, a tubular body, means for supporting a lipstick or the like within said body and for dispensing the same out one end of said body, a base including a generally cylindrical land and radial shoulder joining the same to said body, a circumferentially resilient member having a radially inwardly extending portion seated on said shoulder and an axially extending circumferentially continuous skirt flaring outward in the direction away from said inwardly extending portion, and a closure cap fitting over said one end and of innerdiameter intermediate the maximum and minimum outer diameters of said skirt, whereby upon placement of said closure cap o er said skirt, said cap and base will be frietionally retained in assembled relation. l

2. In a cosmetic container of the character indicated, an elongated tubular body, means for. supporting a lipstick or the like within said body and for dispensingthe same out one end of said body, said body having a pair of'axially spaced radial shoulders, a circumferentially extending resilient member having a radially inwardly extending portion retained between said shoulders and an axially extending skirt, circumferentially continuously flaring outwardly in the direction away from said inwardly extending portion, and a closure cap fitting over said oneend and of an inner diameter to deflect said skirt for resilient engagement with said skirt.

3. A container according to claim 2, in which said body is essentially a single continuous tubular piece with a circumferential groove formed therein between said of said members.

5. In a cosmetic container of the character indicated, inner and outer relatively rotatable tubular body members, axially spaced circumferentially and radially outwardly extending locating means on one of said members and serving axially to locate the other of saidmembers, means for supporting a lipstick or the like within said body and including means cooperating with said relatively rotatable members to propel the same toward one 'end of said container upon relative rotation, a circumferentially extending resilient element circumferentially continuously riding one of said locating means and the adjacent axial end of the other'of said tubular members, said resilient element including as an integral part thereof a circumferentially continuous plastic skirt flaring outwardly in the direction away from said one end, and a closure cap fitting over said one end of said container and frictionally engaged with said skirt.

6. In a container of the character indicated, means for supporting a lipstick or the like, inner and outer tubular members embracing said means and having cam elements cooperating with said means to propel the same upon relative rotation of said tubular members, the inner of said tubular members having at one axial end a radially outwardly extending shoulder of an outer diameter at least overlapping said outer tubular member, a circumferentially extending resilient member including a radially inwardly extending flange axially retained between said shoulder and the adjacent end of said outer tubular memher, said resilient member having an outwardly flaring circumferentially continuous resilient skirt of maximum outwardly flared unstressed diameter exceeding the maximum diameter of said outer tubular member, and a closure cap fitting over said members and having an inner diameter less than the maximum unstressed diameter of said skirt and in frictional engagement with said skirt.

7. In a cosmetic container of the character indicated, inner and outer relatively rotatable tubular body members, axially spaced circumferentially and radially outwardly extending locating means on one of said members and serving axially to locate the other of said members, means for supporting a lipstick or the like within said body and including means cooperating with said relatively rotatable members to propel the same toward one end of said container upon relative rotation, a closure cap for covering one end of said container and fitting over both said locating means, and a circumferentially extending flared resilient skirt circumferentially continuously riding one of said locating means at the smaller end of said skirt, the flare of said skirt being outward in the direction away from said one end and to an extent exceeding the bore of said cap, the axial end of the other tubular member adjacent said skirt being of a sufficient maximum diameter to ride the adjacent axial end of said skirt.

8. In a cosmetic container of the character indicated, inner and outer relatively rotatable tubular body members, said inner member having an open end and an enlarged base closing the other end, carrier means within said inner member and including means engageable with said body members to advance and retract the same on relative rotation of said members, first axial locating means on said members for retaining said outer member against displacement in the direction of said open end, a circumferentially continuous element at the enlargement of said base and the adjacent axial end of said outer member, said circumferentially continuous element in cluding a generally radially inwardly extending member and a circumferentially continuous resilient skirt, said skirt flaring normally outwardly in the direction away from said open end, and a closure cap fitting over the open end of said container and having a bore frictionally engaging said skirt; whereby, on engagement of said skirt by said closure cap, said generally radially inwardly extending member will be axially deflected in the direction of applying increasing axial loading between said inner and outer members With increasing inward deflection of said generally axially extending member.

9. A container according to claim 8, in which said generally radially extending member is a generally radial flange on said circumferentially continuous element.

10. A container according to claim 9, in which the inner limit of said flange is continuous.

11. A container according to claim 9, in which the inner limit of said flange is serrated, thereby dividing s-aid flange into an angularly spaced plurality of radially inwardly extending lugs.

12. A container according to claim 8, in which said generally radially extending member and said skirt are integrally formed of a single piece of plastic material.

13. In a cosmetic container of the character indicated, an elongated tubular body, means for supporting a lipstick or the like within said body and for dispensing the same out one end of said body, said body having a pair of axially spaced radial shoulders, a circumferentially continuous yieldable plastic skirt member including at its upper end a radially inwardly flange axially retained between said shoulders, said skirt member being flared outwardly in the direction away from the dispensing end of said body, and a closure cap fitting over said open end and of an inner diameter to engage the flare of said skirt for resilient frictional engagement therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,482,368 Reichenbach Sept. 20, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,046,996 France July 15, 1953 

